Can you take ulipristal while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
Ulipristal is a selective progesterone receptor modulator used in a single dose as an emergency postcoital contraceptive. No information is available on the clinical use of ulipristal during breastfeeding; however, amounts in milk are low. If ulipristal is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. Some older sources recommend withholding breastfeeding for 24 hours after a dose, but this is no longer a requirement according to current FDA-approved labeling.
Quoted from Ulipristal — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised January 18, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of ulipristal. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
- Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive
- Oral Levonorgestrel
How much ulipristal gets into breastmilk
Ulipristal acetate is metabolized to mono- and di-demethylated metabolites by CYP3A4. Monodemethyl-ulipristal is pharmacologically active.
Maternal Levels. The breastmilk of 12 lactating women following administration of ulipristal (dosage not stated, but presumably 30 mg) was collected in 24-hour increments to measure the concentrations of ulipristal acetate and monodemethyl-ulipristal acetate in breastmilk. The mean daily concentrations of ulipristal acetate in breastmilk were 22.7 mcg/L (0 to 24 hours), 2.96 mcg/L (24 to 48 hours), 1.56 mcg/L (48 to 72 hours), 1.04 mcg/L (72 to 96 hours), and 0.69 mcg/L (96 to 120 hours). The mean daily concentrations of monodemethyl-ulipristal acetate in breastmilk were 4.49 mcg/L (0 to 24 hours), 0.62 mcg/L (24 to 48 hours), 0.28 mcg/L (48 to 72 hours), 0.17 mcg/L (72 to 96 hours), and 0.10 mcg/L (96 to 120 hours). Using these data, a fully breastfed infant would receive about 4.1 mcg/kg of drug plus active metabolite on the first day and a total of 5.2 mcg/kg over 5 days). Assuming a 30 mg dose and an average maternal weight of 60 kg, the infant would receive a weight-adjusted dosage of 0.8% of drug plus active metabolite on the first day and a total of 1% of the maternal dose over the 5-day period.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take ulipristal while breastfeeding?
Ulipristal is a selective progesterone receptor modulator used in a single dose as an emergency postcoital contraceptive. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What can I take instead of ulipristal while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive, Oral Levonorgestrel as alternate drugs to consider. That is the database's own list for this drug — whether any of them suits you depends on what you are treating.
Does ulipristal pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for ulipristal are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking ulipristal?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on ulipristal
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.